GSCE

Biology Week 2. Unit B1 and B2 (B1 1.20; B2 1.1 - 1.5 Cells)

1.20 Describe the structure of the nucleus of the cell as containing chromosomes, on which genes are located
1.1 Describe the function of the components of a bacterial cell including chromosomal DNA, plasmid DNA,
flagella and cell wall
1.2 Describe the function of the components of a plant cell including chloroplast, large vacuole, cell wall, cell
membrane, mitochondria, cytoplasm and nucleus
1.3 Describe the function of the components of an animal cell including cell membrane, mitochondria,
cytoplasm and nucleus
1.4 Describe how plant and animal cells can be studied in greater detail with a light microscope
1.5 Demonstrate an understanding of how changes in microscope technology have enabled us to see cells with
more clarity and detail than in the past, including simple magnification calculations

B1 1.20 The nucleus of the cell
B2 1.1 Components of a bacterial cell
B2 1.2 Function of the components of a plant cell
B2 1.3 Function of the components of an animal cell
B2 1.4 How plant and animal cells can be studied with a light microscope
B2 1.5 Simple magnification calculations

Seeing the microscopic world.

Microscopes allow scientists to see the microscopic world. Things / Organisms we wouldnt
be able to see with the naked eye.

You may have to Label a microscope!

Q. Name 4 plant cell structures that you would see with a light microscope.
Cell wall, nucleus, mitochondria, vacuole

Q. Name another type of microscope.
Electron microscope.

Q. Using a light microscope you observe an object you know to measure 0.06mm in
length. The image size you observe is 9mm long. Calculate the magnification.
Magnification = Length of observed Image length of actual specimen.
Magnification = 9mm 0.06mm = 150 x magnification.

Q. State the difference between the way light microscopes and electron microscopes work.
Identify which is most powerful.
Light microscopes rely on refraction of light to magnify images whereas electron microscopes
rely on focused beams of electrons. Electrons have a shorter wavelength than light, as such
electron microscopes are more powerful.

Q. The Flagellum of the bacterium Escherichia coli is 0.001mm long. You observe the flagellum
at 400 x magnification. Calculate how long the magnified image will be.

Image size = Actual length of flagellum x Magnification.
Image size = 0.001mm x 400 = 0.4mm

Q. State the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells.
Both plant and animal cells have a cytoplasm, cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria and
ribosomes. Additionally, plants have a cell wall composed of cellulose, chloroplasts and a large
permeant vacuole.

Q. State the functions of: -
a. Cell wall maintains cell structure and support.
b. Cell membrane regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

Q. Where does photosynthesis take place in a plant cell?
Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts (in the green parts of plants).

Q. Describe vacuoles in plant cells.
The vacuole is a large fluid filled sac containing salts and sugars (sap).

Q. Mitochondria are organelles found in most animal and plant cells. Mitochondria are the
sites of cellular respiration.
a. State 3 examples of a specialised cell likely to have many mitochondria.
Sperm cells, Muscles cells and liver cells.

b. Explain your answer.
These specialised cells are very active and require lots of energy. As such they have many
mitochondria to provide the energy (ATP) generated from cellular respiration.

Q. Plant and animal cells have similarities and differences. Complete each statement below
by highlighting the correct words.

a. Plant / Animal cells, not plant / animal cells contain chloroplasts.
b. Plant cells have vacuoles / cytoplasm which contains sap.
c. Both plant and animal cells / only animal cells / only plant cells have cell membranes.
d. The cytoplasm / nucleus is the gel like substance within the cell, where most chemical
reactions take place.
Q. Highlight the cell where you would find a plasmid.
a. Plant, Animal, Fungi or Bacteria.

b. State how plasmid DNA differs from chromosomal DNA in the cell you identified above.
Plasmids are small circular pieces of DNA separate from the chromosomal DNA of Bacteria.
Plasmids are able to replicate independently of chromosomal DNA.

Q. Draw diagrams of fully labelled: -
a. Animal cell
b. Plant cell
c. Bacterial cell

Q. Chromosomes consist of long coiled molecules of DNA.

a. State the 2 types of Human cells that do not have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Sperm and Egg.

b. Explain why these cells only have 23 chromosomes.
They are Haploid cells (contain 23 chromosomes) which, via fertilisation combine to form a
cell (zygote) resorting the diploid number of chromosomes. (46, 23 pairs).


Q. Genetic material is located in the nucleus of animal and plant cells.
a. State what genes and chromosomes are made from.
Both gens and chromosomes are composed of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

b. State the difference between genes and chromosomes.
A small section of DNA that codes for a particular protein is called a gene. Whereas many
genes from chromosomes.

Q. Draw a line to match the following cell part to its correct description:

Flagellum

Plasmid

DNA that controls the cells

activities, found in the cytoplasm
Small loop of DNA that can be
passed between bacterial cells
helps to move the bacterial cell

Chromosomal DNA

Q. State what each of the following cell structures if made of or contains.
Contains DNA
Nucleus

Chlorophyll (green pigment)
Chloroplast

Cellulose
Plant cell wall

Bacterial cell wall Peptidoglycan (or Murein)

Q. Describe the functions of the following:

Controls cellular activities
Nucleus

Chloroplast

Cell wall

Mitochondria

Cell Membrane

Ribosomes

Carries out photosynthesis (making food for the plant)

Supports the cells
Where most of cellular respiration takes place - providing ATP
energy
Regulates movement of substances into and out of the cell
Sites of protein synthesis.

Q. Name 4 features of a plant cell that is not seen in bacterial cells.
True Nucleus, Large permeant vacuole, Mitochondria and Chloroplasts.


Virtual Microscope
http://www.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/scope.html